Edgy Director Brothers Clash Over Controversial Teen Sex Scene in Hollywood Blockbuster

The unresolved mystery captivating Hollywood circles recently is the sudden fallout between Josh and Benny Safdie, two brothers who formed a celebrated indie filmmaker duo.

The question of what led to the division between the brothers, following a series of critically successful films, has been a topic of intense speculation among film industry insiders and journalists. There were whispers that political differences, specifically one brother’s alleged shift towards extreme conservative views, stirred discontent. However, the brothers themselves have vaguely attributed their split to the impact of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes during discussions with peers.

The speculation gained further momentum on Thursday, January 22, when Josh received four Oscar nominations for his independent project “Marty Supreme,” while Benny received none for his film “The Smashing Machine.”

However, the core issue behind their dispute traces back to a distressing incident on the set of their 2017 film “Good Time,” as revealed by Page Six Hollywood. Benny decided to sever professional ties with Josh in 2023 after becoming fully aware of the incident’s details.

Sources from the “Good Time” production disclosed that a 17-year-old girl was cast as a prostitute in the film. During filming in New York, she was placed in a scene that required nudity and simulated sexual acts with Buddy Duress, an actor recently out of prison.

The Safdies, known for blending professional actors like Robert Pattinson with real-life figures like Duress in their films, faced a shocking moment when Duress, under the influence and during the scene, exposed himself and made inappropriate advances towards the young actress, as the cameras rolled on. (Duress passed away from a heroin overdose in November 2023.)

An on-set source criticized Josh for not stopping the scene, indicating that he had the final say during the shoot. It was later discovered that Josh became aware of the actress’s age shortly after the scene, as she showed signs of distress. Josh has since declined to comment on the matter.

Employing a minor in such a scene blatantly violates numerous industry standards, particularly those set by the Screen Actors Guild, which prioritize the welfare and safety of minors on set. Those close to the situation have described Josh’s actions as reckless.

The contentious scene was ultimately removed from the film before its premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, supposedly for creative reasons. However, the true nature of the incident didn’t come to light until 2022 during the acrimonious divorce proceedings between their former producer, Sebastian “Sebo” Bear-McClard, and actress Emily Ratajkowski. This revelation also brought to light Bear-McClard’s infidelity during the production of “Uncut Gems,” another Safdie brothers project.

The discovery of the young actress’s age and the circumstances of the filming created a significant rift between the brothers. Josh blamed Bear-McClard for the casting mishap, while Bear-McClard deflected responsibility for verifying her age. The brothers ended their association with Bear-McClard and sought to dissolve their joint business endeavors through private mediation.

Despite the growing tensions, the Safdies continued their collaborative efforts until early 2023. They were planning a new project with Adam Sandler for Netflix but ceased all joint activities after the details of the “Good Time” incident became public. Following this, Josh started working on “Marty Supreme” with Timothee Chalamet, and Benny began directing “The Smashing Machine” featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

As Hollywood reflected on the brothers’ split, it became apparent that Josh had the upper hand in the recent Oscar nominations, securing a significant lead over Benny. Despite the controversy, both brothers are expected to continue their careers with top-tier talent.

However, Josh’s approach to filmmaking, particularly his willingness to use controversial figures and methods, remains a point of contention. His practices have raised concerns in the past, such as during the filming of a Jay-Z music video where child labor laws were allegedly disregarded. More recently, during an awards season event, Timothee Chalamet shared an unsettling encounter with a background actor on the set of “Marty Supreme.”

It appears that the Academy has overlooked these controversies, focusing instead on the artistic merits of Josh’s work. Anne Henry, a child advocate, expressed disappointment with the industry’s short memory regarding on-set ethics, emphasizing the need for a balance between creative freedom and professional responsibility.

Ultimately, this situation highlights ongoing challenges within Hollywood regarding the treatment of young actors and the ethical responsibilities of filmmakers.